Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerBart Scott has 100 tackles and one sack so far this season.INDIANAPOLIS — Loquacious linebacker Bart Scott and the Jets’ No. 1 ranked defense will face the ultimate challenge today on the fast track of Lucas Oil Stadium: slow down quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts’ prolific offense.

The Jets have been a bit of a paper tiger this season, blowing three fourth-quarter leads in the closing seconds, including last Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

But the Jets can erase the bad memories with a stellar effort against Manning — however long he plays — and the Colts.

Manning, in his 12th season, has engineered seven fourth-quarter comebacks this season, his best year ever, according to Colts coach Jim Caldwell. The Colts rank first in the NFL in pass offense (297.2 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (28.1). They’ve scored a touchdown on 17 of their past 21 red zone possessions.

For the record, the last time the Jets finished the season with the league’s top-ranked defense was 1968, when they led the AFL. Since the 1970 merger, the Jets’ best finish was 1981, when they led the AFC in total defense.

This past week, Scott sat down with The Star-Ledger to reflect on the season and his move to the Jets. What type of effort do you think the team will give against the Colts following the disappointing loss to the Falcons?

If you win a game, you have an opportunity to go to the playoffs. How could you not show up? I don’t think we’ve ever not shown up this season. Even the second Patriots game (a 31-14 loss), you didn’t get the sense we were out of it. Showing up and playing hard is one thing, but showing up and playing well is what we need.

What are your thoughts on the failure of the defense to close out games?

It’s tough. You want to come through, and we didn’t. It’s disappointing. You hope it doesn’t come down to that. I think the defense is playing well, just not well enough to win. I’d rather give up a lot of yards than to not be able to stop somebody on the last drive to win a game.

Why hasn’t the defense come through?

It’s one of those things where sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I mean, we have stopped guys on the last drive before. You go back to the first Patriots game, the Tennessee game, the second Buffalo game. We’re not batting 80 or 90 percent. We’re in the middle of the road. Teams are being super-aggressive in those situations. You just hope you get a turnover because I think those situations definitely favor the offense.

Do those failures make the defense’s top ranking a bit hollow?

You tell me. At the end of the day, you go with the numbers.

How has the team stayed together with the offense struggling so much and the defense playing so well?

We also left a lot of plays out there. You don’t farm somebody else’s land. It’s one of those things that until you’re doing everything perfect, you can’t say anything. It’s our fault as much as it’s anybody else’s fault.

What are your thoughts on the play of QB Mark Sanchez?

He’s a young quarterback. Just look at (Bucs rookie QB) Josh Freeman. Look at Jay Cutler (Bears). Jay Cutler (league-high 25 interceptions) isn’t a good quarterback? You have to learn from your mistakes. This is Mark’s first time in the league. The game is fast for him. We’ve invested a lot in him. He’s the future. We just have to help him develop as fast as we can.

How do you feel about your performance this season?

We’re the No. 1 defense in the league, aren’t we? That’s all I’m concerned with. I don’t know how much I had to do with it (Scott has 100 tackles, second on the team, with one sack and 14 quarterback hurries). I’d like to think I had something to do with it. If I’m not here, are we the No. 1 defense? Maybe, maybe not.

Are you happy about your decision to sign with the Jets last offseason?

Of course I’m happy. I’m extremely happy with my teammates and the future. I think my future is bright and in good hands with the Jets. I think we’ll have an opportunity to win a lot of football games around here. I think this is the beginning of something special, and I just hope I can be a part of it. I want this team to be better when I leave than it was when I came here.